Genealogy & Local History

Genealogy and Local History

If you are tracing your family tree, writing a research paper, or want to know more about Shelby County, we can help!

If you want more information, email Shana at reference@scplibrary.net or call (502) 633-3803. If you have a long drive to see our collection, we recommend calling ahead in case you need assistance.

We have the following resources available:

Use the digital microfilm reader and printer to access:

Courthouse Records

Shelby County Deeds 1792-1878

Shelby County Marriages 1792-1869

Shelby County Order Books 1804-1868

Shelby County Tax Lists

Shelby County Wills 1792-1913

Shelby County Census Records 1810-1930

Slave Schedules 1850-1860

Vital Statistics 1852-1861.

Local newspaper: The Shelby News 1841-1971

Local newspaper: The Shelby Record 1899-1923

Local newspaper: The Shelby Sentinel 1880-1972

Local newspaper: The Sentinel-News 1972-2006.

Vertical Files:

Commerce

Education

Family Files

Government/History

Military

Miscellaneous

Organizations

Photographs

Religion/Churches

Print Sources:

1882 Shelby and Henry County Atlas

County Histories

County Records including cemetery, census,marriages and wills.

Family histories

Filson Club History Quarterly

Kentucky Census Records

Kentucky Histories

The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Records which include cemetery, deaths, marriages, military and wills.

Please note: The majority of our genealogy collection focuses on Kentucky, particularly Shelby, Henry, Spencer, Oldham, Nelson, and other nearby counties. We have limited resources on the far eastern and western Kentucky counties. Because Kentucky was part of Virginia prior to 1792, we also have some Virginia resources.

Want us to find an obituary for you?

We can search our archived newspapers to find obituaries for $10.00 per obituary. All you have to do is:

Kentucky Room Reference form

With your SCPL library card, you have access to the following genealogy databases for free!

To log in:

Enter your 14-digit library card number, the entire number on the back of your card. (i.e., 23610704097509)

Your PIN is the last four digits of your library card number. (i.e., 7509)

Heritage Quest which includes census records, a collection of 25,000 family and local histories in full text and searchable and comprehensive subject index to 6,500 genealogy and local historical society publications from the United States and Canada.

Ancestry Library Edition provides over 5 billion records in census data, vital records, immigration records, periodicals books, photos and more! Gain full access to this popular resource by using a library computer.